Method of and apparatus for altering the temperature of containers

ABSTRACT

A double deck can warmer having spray heads mounted above an upper conveyor for conveying cans in one direction and a lower conveyor for conveying cans in the opposite direction. The arcuate chute communicates with the upper conveyor and the lower conveyor so as to move cans from the upper conveyor to the lower conveyor while effecting an inversion. As the cans move along the upper conveyor, one end of the cans are sprayed with a warming fluid from nozzles located above the conveyor. As the cans are inverted, the liquid contents are agitated. The opposite ends of the cans are now sprayed with warming fluid from the nozzles located above the lower conveyor.

Q United States Patent 1 [111 3,732,917 Deubel May 15, 1973 [54] METHODOF AND APPARATUS FOR 1,891,425 12 1932 Kronquest ..-....l65/l20 ALTERlNGE TEMPERATURE ()F I,589,079 6/1926 Johnson et al.. ..l65/l20 CONTAINERSFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75 1 Inventor: Hans Deubel M'lwaukee2,005,427 12/1969 France ..62/374 [73] Assignee: Crown Cork & SealCompany, Inc.,

Philadelphia, Pa, Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre AssistantExaminerTheophil W. Streule, Jr. [22] plied: June 2 Attorney-Woodcock,Washburn, Kurtz and Mackie- [2]] Appl. No.: 156,617 wicz [57] ABSTRACT[52] US. Cl. ..165/l, 165/120, 134/68,

198/33, 62/374 62/64 A double deck can warmer having spray heads [51]Int. Cl. ..F28f 7/00 mounted above an upper conveyor for conveymg cans[58] Field of Search 5/120 121 1 in one direction and a lower conveyorfor conveying l65/2 l34/62 cans in the opposite direction. The arcuatechute coml 152 & municates with the upper conveyor and the lowerconveyor so as to move cans from the upper conveyor to the lowerconveyor while effecting an inversion. As [56] References cued the cansmove along the upper conveyor, one end of UNITED STATES PATENTS the cansare sprayed with a warming fluid from nozzles located above theconveyor. As the cans are in- 2,764,274 9/1956 Griswold et al ..l98/33AD verted the liquid contents are agitated, The opposite Pl'OdZel'lSklI. ends of the cans are now sprayed warming 2,466,769 4/1949 Herold etal ..l65/120 X from the nozzles located above the lower conveyor.

16 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEDHAHSIQH SHEET 1 [IF 2 PAIENIEU HAY1 5 I973 SHEET 2 BF 2 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ALTERING THETEMPERATURE OF CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention When canning or bottling beverages, it is customary to fillthe containers with the product at a fairly low temperature, for example34 F. After the containers are filled, they are usually packed incardboard cartons for sale and distribution to the public. But beforethe containers are distributed to the public, the cartons containing thefilling containers usually go to the warehouse for storage until sold.In any event, the containers will be subjected to warmer temperatures.

It is a well-known fact that all such containers filled with a coldproduct and then exposed to a temperature of 75 F to 85 F will sweatresulting in wet and damaged cartons. Where cans are used, the cans mayrust. To overcome this objectionable sweating problem, it is customaryto attempt to bring the contents of the container up to the dew pointtemperature which is approximately 70 F. This warming process has beenaccomplished in the past by running the containers in mass through abottle and/or can warming machine.

2. The Prior Art In many instances the container warming machinecomprises a conveyor with the containers entering one end of the machineand exiting from the other end of the machine. While the containers areconveyed through the machine, they are exposed to a container warmingfluid in the 'form of heated water which is sprayed from nozzles locatedabove the conveyor and in some cases below the conveyor as well. Inother cases, the heated water is collected in a bath at conveyor levelso that the'container end supported by the conveyor passes through thebath.

The prior art bottle and can warming machines are deficient in that thecontents of the containers are not warmed efficiently. Where thecontainers are only exposed to warming fluids sprayedfrom nozzleslocated above the container, the ends of the containers resting on theconveyor'remain cold. Where the warming fluid is also sprayed fromnozzles below the containers or is collected in a bath at containerlevel, the ends of the containers supported on the conveyor are warmedbut the central portion of the container as well as the contents wi thinthe container are not similarly subjected to the warming fluid. As aresult, the warming of the containers is nonuniform and inefficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one important aspect of theinvention, a uniform and efficient heating of filled containers isaccomplished by agitating the container and exposing it to a warmingfluid.

In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, theagitation of the container may be achieved by inverting the containers.This inversion may be achieved by providing an arcuate chutecommunicating with an upper conveyor moving in a direction toward thechute and a lower conveyor moving in a direction away from the chute.Because of the arcuate nature of the chute, containers standing on oneend while advancing on the upper conveyor are inverted so as to stand onthe other end while advancing on the lower conveyor. When an upper setof spray nozzles for the warming fluid are located above the upperconveyor and a lower set of spray nozzles for the warming fluid arelocated above the lower conveyor where both sets of nozzles direct fluidalong the axes of the containers, both ends of the containers will bewarmed since the containers are inverted by the chute. In addition, thecontents of the container will be agitated so as to provide a moreuniform efficient heating of the containers.

In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, the chutemay comprise a pair of arcuate, uniformly spaced guides. As analternative, the chute may comprise a revolving wheel in combinationwith an arcuate portion of the lower conveyor having a uniform spacingwith respect to the wheel. By driving the wheel and conveyor which aremaintained in contact with the containers in the chute, the containersmay be moved on to the lower conveyor even in the absence of succeedingcontainers on the upper conveyor.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the containersmay enter and leave the warming machine from the same end. Accordingly,the infeed conveyor communicating with the upper conveyor may be locatedadjacent and above an outfeed conveyor communicating with the lowerconveyor at the same end of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS along section lines 4-4 and showingthe upper conveyor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A method and apparatus forwarming filled containers in accordance with this invention will now bedescribed in substantial detail with reference to FIG. 1. The containerapparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a conveyor means 12including an upper conveyor 14 and a lower conveyor 16. As thecontainers .are conveyed through the apparatus 10, they are exposed to awarming fluid 18 which is sprayed from an upper set of nozzles 20 and alower set of nozzles 22 in a direction generally parallel to the axes ofthe contain:

ers. The upper conveyor 14 is in communication with the lower conveyor16 through the arcuate chute 24.

In accordance with one very important aspect of the invention, thecontainers C, which have been recently filled with cold liquid, areefiicientl y warmed due to an agitation provided by the chute 24. Inthis connection, it will be noted that the chute 24, which issubstantially semicircular, inverts the containers C as they move fromthe upper conveyor 14 to the lower conveyor 16. Note the arrows on thecontainer C as they rest on the upper conveyor 14 in the uprightposition. The container C on the lower conveyor 16 are now inverted asmay again be seen by reference to the arrows on the containers C. Theagitation which results from the inversion assists in providing auniform and efficient warming of the containers C to the dew point.

The inversion of the containers C as provided by chute 24 is also veryimportant in another respect.

Since the upper set of nozzles 20 are located above the upper conveyor14 and the lower set of nozzles 22 are located above the lower conveyor16, the fluid 18 is only sprayed downwardly onto the containers C. Butsince the chute 24 provides inversion of the containers C, differentends of the containers C are sprayed by the warming fluid.

One end of the containers C are exposed to and sprayed by the warmingfluid 18 as the containers C are conveyed on the upper conveyor 14 whilestanding on the other end and moving toward the chute 24. But after thechute 24 inverts the containers C, the other end is exposed and sprayedby the warming fluid 18 while the containers C, standing on thepreviously sprayed one end, are conveyed on the conveyor 16 in thedirection away from the chute 24. This too assists in achieving auniform and efficient warming of the filled containers C to the dewpoint. Note that the containers C did not pass through a warming fluidbath since the waterline is well below the lower conveyor 16.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the containers Centers and leaves the apparatus from the same end. As may be readilyappreciated with reference to FIG. 1, the containers C are entering andleaving the apparatus 10 from the left. This aspect of the inventionwill be described in somewhat further detail subsequently with referenceto FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the chute 24 comprises a pair of arcuateguide members 26 having a mutual spacing therebetween which issubstantially uniform and substantially equal to the height of thecontainers C. Since the chute 24 is substantially dependent upon agravity feed in combination with successive cans moving along the upperconveyor 14, a number of containers may remain lodged in the chute 24 atthe end of a days run when there are no successive containers Cadvancing along the upper conveyor 14.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, gravity feed is assisted to substantiallyassure removal of all containers C from the chute 24. Except for thechute 24' and the lower conveyor 16', the warming apparatus 10 of FIG. 2is substantially identical to the warming apparatus 10 of FIG. I. Forthis reason, similar reference characters are utilized to identifysimilar elements of the apparatus.

Referring now to the chute 24', note the use of a revolving wheel 28which is driven in a direction indicated by the associated arrow. Theentry to the chute 24' comprises a fixed guide member 30 including asubstantially straight portion 32 spaced a substantially uniformdistance from another guide member 34. The fixed guide member 30 alsocomprises an arcuate portion 36 which is spaced a uniform distance fromthe revolving wheel 28.

As the containers C reach the chute 24, they enter between the guidemembers 32 and 34 and move, under the influence of gravity feed and thepush provided by successive containers, to a point of engagement withthe revolving wheel 28. Since the revolving wheel 28 would be incapableof driving the containers C once the containers C reach the point thatgravity forces them away from the wheel 28, an additional conveyingforce must be provided to assure that the chute 24' is empty at the endof a days run. This additional conveying means may be provided by anarcuate end 38 on the lower conveyor 16'. The arcuate configuration ofthe conveyor portion 38 may be maintained by suitable guide members notshown.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a container warming apparatus is providedcomprising a chute 24 the type shown in FIG. 1. The chute 24communicates with the upper conveyor 14 and the lower conveyor 16 whichare driven over sprockets 40 which are intum driven by a conveyor shaftand sprocket coupled to a variable speed drive 44. In order to supportthe conveying surface of the upper conveyor 14 and the lower conveyor 16which may comprise chains, a supporting means 46 is provided. The returnsurface is supported by idler rollers 48. As may best be appreciated byreference to FIG. 4, both the upper convenor 14 and the lower conveyor16 are wide enough to handle a large number of containers C inside-by-side relationship between fences 49. In many cases, it may bedesirable to use a conveyor width of 5 feet or more.

As mentioned previously, the containers C may enter and leave theapparatus 10 from the same end. In this connection, note that an infeedconveyor means 50 which is wide enough to handle two containers C inside-by-side relationship is provided in communication with the upperconveyor 14. Similarly, an outfeed conveyor 52 is provided beneath orsubjacent the infeed conveyor 50 and in communication with the lowerconveyor 16. By the use of a bar 54, the containers C are urged off theinfeed conveyor 50 located superjacent to the outfeed conveyor 52 andonto the upper conveyor 14 in side-by-side relationship as best shown inFIG. 4. An arrangement of a type well-known in the art is utilized toremove the containers C from the lower conveyor 16 and place them on theoutfeed conveyor 52.

The warming fluid which is sprayed from both the upper set of nozzles 20and lower set of nozzles 22 is heated. This may be accomplished by aheater 55 which is located beneath the water line. In the alternative,steam piping may be utilized for use with a steam boiler. In eithercase, the water is continuously heated and then pumped by means of apump 56 to main headers 58 and 60 associated with the nozzles sets 20and 22. Of course, other well known means may be utilized to heat anddispense the warming fluid, all of which are quite familiar to those ofordinary skill in the art.

The apparatus 10 may include additional features. For example, theblower 62 may be provided near the outfeed conveyor 52 for purposes ofdrying the containers C at discharge. In addition, a safety feature maybe provided which will automatically shut the nozzles sets 20 and 22 tooff when the conveyor stops. This will prevent overheating of productswithin the containers and may be accomplished by means well known in theart.

In the apparatus described, the warming fluid in the form of a spray ofwater may be heated to a temperature ranging from to 160 F. However, inmost applications, a temperature of the order of F is satisfactory. Sucha temperature permits an efficient warming of the beverage temperatureof approximately 34 to 75 F, well above the 70 dew point.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference tocontainers in the form of cans, it will be appreciated that theinvention may be utilized in conjunction with other containers. It willalso be appreciated that the invention might be utilized to coolcontainers by utilizing a cooling fluid rather than a warming fluid.These and other modifications which fall within the scope of theappended claims will occur to those of ordinaryskill in the art What isclaimed is: l. A method of warming filled containers comprising thesteps of:

exposing one end of said containers to a warming fluid for warming saidcontainers;

directing said warming fluid at said exposed one end of each of saidcontainers in a direction substantially parallel with the container axisextending from said one end to said other end of each of saidcontainers;

inverting said containers so as to agitate the contents within saidcontainers while distributing the heat within said containers from saidone end to said other end; i

exposing said other end of each of said containers to said warmingfluid; and

directing said warming fluid at said exposed other end in a directionsubstantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of each of saidcontainers.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

conveying said container in a standing position on said other end whileexposing said one end to said warming fluid; and

conveying said containers in a standing position on said one end whileexposing said other end of said containers to said warming fluid.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said containers are conveyed on saidone end in one direction and conveyed on said other end in an oppositedirection.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said steps of exposing the containersat said one end and exposing the containers at said other end comprisespraying said containers with said warming fluid.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said warming fluid is sprayeddownwardly on said containers while being conveyed in said one directionand in said opposite direction.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of heating saidwarming fluid to a temperature substantially higher than the temperatureof said liquid so as to warm said liquid.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said step of heating comprises heatingsaid warming fluid comprising water to a temperature ranging from 100 to160 F.

8. A method of altering the temperature of liquidfilled containerscomprising the steps of:

exposing one end of each of said containers to a fluid having asubstantially different temperature than that of the contents of saidcontainers;

directing said fluid at said exposed one end of said container in adirection substantially parallel with the container axis extending fromsaid one end to said other end of each of said containers;

inverting said containers so as to agitate the contents within thecontainers thereby decreasing the temperature gradient within the liquidfrom said one end to said other end of each of said containers;

exposing the other end of each of said containers to the fluid; and

directing the fluid at the other end of each of said containers in adirection substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of each ofsaid containers.

9. Apparatus for warming filled containers comprising:

first conveyor means for supporting each of said containers on one endthereof as said containers are moved along a substantiallyhorizontalpath exposing the other end of each of said containers;

warming fluid nozzle means extending along and above said first conveyormeans for directing warming fluid downwardly onto the other end of eachof said containers; second conveyor means for supporting each of saidcontainers on the other end thereof as said containers are moved in asubstantially horizontal path exposing said one end of each of saidcontainers;

second warming fluid nozzle means extending along and above said secondconveyor means for directing said warming fluid downwardly onto said oneend of each of said containers; and

means for inverting said containers as said containers move from saidfirst conveyor means to said second conveyor means thereby agitating thecontents of the containers so as to distribute the heat within saidcontainers from said one end to said other end so as to promoteefficient warming of said containers.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first conveyor means comprisesan upper conveyor for conveying containers in a standing position onsaid one end toward said inverting means and said second conveyor meanscomprises a lower conveyor located beneath said upper conveyor forconveying said containers in an inverted standing position on said otherend away from said inverting means. i

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said upper conveyor conveys saidcontainers in one direction and said lower conveyor conveys saidcontainers in the opposite direction.

12. The apparatus of claim ll wherein said inverting means comprises anarcuate chute having sides for guiding said containers, said chutecommunicating with said upper conveyor and said lower conveyor formoving said containers from a standing position on one end on said upperconveyor to an inverted standing position on said other end on saidlower conveyor, said arcuate chute adapted to engage the ends of saidcontainers such that the longitudinal axis of said containers intersectsaid sides.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said chute is semicircular andsaid sides comprise fixed arcuate guide members having substantiallyuniform spacing therebetween substantially equal to the height of saidcontainers from said one end to said other end.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said sides of said chute comprisea revolving wheel member and an arcuate portion of said lower conveyorjuxtaposed thereto with substantially uniform spacing therebetweensubstantially equal to the height of said containers from said one endto said other end, said wheel being driven. so as to advance saidcontainers through said chute in the absence 'of successive containerson said upper conveyor. I

15. the apparatus of claim 11 further comprising an infeed conveyormeans communicating with said upper conveyor for moving containers tosaid upper conveyor and an outfeed conveyor means communicating withsaid lower conveyor to move containers from said lower conveyor, saidinfeed conveyor means being superjacent to said outfeed conveyor means.

16. Apparatus for warming the temperature of filled containerscomprising:

an upper conveyor for supporting the containers on one end thereof whilesaid containers are conveyed in one direction;

upper nozzle means extending along and above said upper conveyor fordirecting a temperaturealtering fluid at the other end of each of saidcontainers;

a lower conveyor having a surface for supporting each of said containerson the other end thereof as the containers are conveyed in anotherdirection exposing said one end of each of said containers;

lower nozzle means extending along and above said lower conveyor fordirecting a temperaturealtering fluid towards said one end of each ofsaid containers; and

inverting means comprising a chute having sides for guiding saidcontainers, said chute communicating with said upper conveyor and saidlower conveyor for moving said containers from a standing position onsaid one end of each of said containers at said upper conveyor to aninverted standing position on said other end of each of said containerson said lower conveyor, said arcuate chute adapted to engage the ends ofsaid containers such that the longitudinal axis extending from said oneend to said other end of each of said containers intersects thecontainer guiding sides of said chute.

' r H.- CH? i CERTIFLCATE OF commcuo Patent NO- 3'732'917 Dated May 15 l1973 'Invcntor(s) 'Hans D. Deubel It is certified that error appears inthe above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column l, line 12, delete "'filling'f and insert -"filled.

Cpluinn 6 line 47; delete "ll" and insert --l2 4 Column 6, line 52,delete "11'' and ineert' -v -'l2 Sighed and sealed this 27th dayofNoveinber 1973.

[SEAL] I Attes't:

EDWARD NMFLETCHERJR. RENE D. TEGTME EK 'Atfcesting Officer ,Acting'Cqnnniss'ioner of Patents u I I

1. A method of warming filled containers comprising the steps of:exposing one end of said containers to a warming fluid for warming saidcontainers; directing said warming fluid at said exposed one end of eachof said containers in a direction substantially parallel with thecontainer axis extending from said one end to said other end of each ofsaid containers; inverting said containers so as to agitate the contentswithin said containers while distributing the heat within saidcontainers from said one end to said other end; exposing said other endof each of said containers to said warming fluid; and directing saidwarming fluid at said exposed other end in a direction substantiallyparallel with the longitudinal axis of each of said containers.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: conveying saidcontainer in a standing position on said other end while exposing saidone end to said warming Fluid; and conveying said containers in astanding position on said one end while exposing said other end of saidcontainers to said warming fluid.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein saidcontainers are conveyed on said one end in one direction and conveyed onsaid other end in an opposite direction.
 4. The method of claim 3wherein said steps of exposing the containers at said one end andexposing the containers at said other end comprise spraying saidcontainers with said warming fluid.
 5. The method of claim 4 whereinsaid warming fluid is sprayed downwardly on said containers while beingconveyed in said one direction and in said opposite direction.
 6. Themethod of claim 2 further comprising the step of heating said warmingfluid to a temperature substantially higher than the temperature of saidliquid so as to warm said liquid.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein saidstep of heating comprises heating said warming fluid comprising water toa temperature ranging from 100* to 160* F.
 8. A method of altering thetemperature of liquid-filled containers comprising the steps of:exposing one end of each of said containers to a fluid having asubstantially different temperature than that of the contents of saidcontainers; directing said fluid at said exposed one end of saidcontainer in a direction substantially parallel with the container axisextending from said one end to said other end of each of saidcontainers; inverting said containers so as to agitate the contentswithin the containers thereby decreasing the temperature gradient withinthe liquid from said one end to said other end of each of saidcontainers; exposing the other end of each of said containers to thefluid; and directing the fluid at the other end of each of saidcontainers in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinalaxis of each of said containers.
 9. Apparatus for warming filledcontainers comprising: first conveyor means for supporting each of saidcontainers on one end thereof as said containers are moved along asubstantially horizontal path exposing the other end of each of saidcontainers; warming fluid nozzle means extending along and above saidfirst conveyor means for directing warming fluid downwardly onto theother end of each of said containers; second conveyor means forsupporting each of said containers on the other end thereof as saidcontainers are moved in a substantially horizontal path exposing saidone end of each of said containers; second warming fluid nozzle meansextending along and above said second conveyor means for directing saidwarming fluid downwardly onto said one end of each of said containers;and means for inverting said containers as said containers move fromsaid first conveyor means to said second conveyor means therebyagitating the contents of the containers so as to distribute the heatwithin said containers from said one end to said other end so as topromote efficient warming of said containers.
 10. The apparatus of claim9 wherein said first conveyor means comprises an upper conveyor forconveying containers in a standing position on said one end toward saidinverting means and said second conveyor means comprises a lowerconveyor located beneath said upper conveyor for conveying saidcontainers in an inverted standing position on said other end away fromsaid inverting means.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said upperconveyor conveys said containers in one direction and said lowerconveyor conveys said containers in the opposite direction.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein said inverting means comprises an arcuatechute having sides for guiding said containers, said chute communicatingwith said upper conveyor and said lower conveyor for moving saidcontainers from a standing position on one end on said upper conveyor toan inverted standing position on said other end on said lower conveyor,said arcuate chute adapted to engage thE ends of said containers suchthat the longitudinal axis of said containers intersect said sides. 13.The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said chute is semicircular and saidsides comprise fixed arcuate guide members having substantially uniformspacing therebetween substantially equal to the height of saidcontainers from said one end to said other end.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 11 wherein said sides of said chute comprise a revolving wheelmember and an arcuate portion of said lower conveyor juxtaposed theretowith substantially uniform spacing therebetween substantially equal tothe height of said containers from said one end to said other end, saidwheel being driven so as to advance said containers through said chutein the absence of successive containers on said upper conveyor.
 15. theapparatus of claim 11 further comprising an infeed conveyor meanscommunicating with said upper conveyor for moving containers to saidupper conveyor and an outfeed conveyor means communicating with saidlower conveyor to move containers from said lower conveyor, said infeedconveyor means being superjacent to said outfeed conveyor me8ns. 16.Apparatus for warming the temperature of filled containers comprising:an upper conveyor for supporting the containers on one end thereof whilesaid containers are conveyed in one direction; upper nozzle meansextending along and above said upper conveyor for directing atemperature-altering fluid at the other end of each of said containers;a lower conveyor having a surface for supporting each of said containerson the other end thereof as the containers are conveyed in anotherdirection exposing said one end of each of said containers; lower nozzlemeans extending along and above said lower conveyor for directing atemperature-altering fluid towards said one end of each of saidcontainers; and inverting means comprising a chute having sides forguiding said containers, said chute communicating with said upperconveyor and said lower conveyor for moving said containers from astanding position on said one end of each of said containers at saidupper conveyor to an inverted standing position on said other end ofeach of said containers on said lower conveyor, said arcuate chuteadapted to engage the ends of said containers such that the longitudinalaxis extending from said one end to said other end of each of saidcontainers intersects the container guiding sides of said chute.